Shampoo-Girl's Full Review: Manhunt for PlayStation 2
Rockstar's Manhunt certainly ranks among one of the most graphically disturbing games of all time. And with all that violence, you can expect a truckload of controversy surrounding a game like this. There was somewhat of a mixed reaction from gamers when Manhunt first hit store shelves a while ago. People who were fans of PC games like Postal 2 were certainly overjoyed while others who were against such games probably went crying to their senators ( again! ).
Manhunt, as the title implies is simply an overly violent game of cat and mouse between you ( the mouse obviously ) and some very angry people out to get you. The game brings back memories of an old Arnie Schwarzenegger flick called The Running Man, where the main character runs around and hides while trying to make his way to the exit. You play as James Earl Cash, a deathrow inmate who is supposedly dead but is given a new lease on life and thrown into a sick survival game. He wakes up in a deserted part of town and it's up to you to get him out of there while making mincemeat of anyone who stands in his way. Armed with glass shards, an assortment of blades & other weaponry, the game allows you to perform a variety of hideous executions on your hunters.
With your character being hopelessly outnumbered, your best bet would be to pick off the baddies one at a time. This is no easy feat and often requires an extreme level of patience. 90% of gameplay involves waiting in the dark, sneaking around and sometimes getting whacked by hordes of angry thugs. The unusually long waiting times can be a bit of a problem for gamers with trigger happy fingers or those who lack patience. Most of us would rather run out, bash the guy on the head and get it over with. You can either attempt to overpower the baddie in a head to head streetfight or sneak up behind him then clobbering him with your weapon. You earn points based on the level of brutality employed. The more gruesome killings will earn you top score as well as some words of praise from the 'director' ( the guy who runs the whole cat & mouse game ).
Manhunt's control layout is moderately difficult to master but should not pose much of a problem for seasoned gamers. Beginners will normally require several hours or more to get accustomed to the controls as well as the weird in-game camera angles. The camera generally follows the direction of your character on screen so if you're hiding in some bushes, you may not be able to see yourself because the camera would be positioned in a blocked out area. The dizzying effects of certain camera angles may give some gamers ( like yours truly ) a bad headache so it's always a good idea to keep that bottle of aspirin within reach.
Graphically speaking, Manhunt isn't exactly what I'd call eye candy. Since most scenarios take place in dark, rat invested locales, you'd almost mistake them for a scene out of Resident Evil. Sure, if you enjoy wandering around deserted alleys & rundown old buildings, you'd probably feel right at home here. The in-game tunes go well with the dark and deserted atmosphere aimed at instilling a feeling of fear. The music changes dramatically when your character is spotted and subsequently chased down by thugs. One other thing that needs to be mentioned is the game's excessive level of profanity. A game like Manhunt would not look even half complete if it didn't include all that swearing and cussing. And with that, you can bet this game is a sure favorite on old Senator Joe's list.
Overall, Manhunt appears to be a somewhat mediocre effort from the guys who gave us GTA. I have to admit, it does get pretty boring and repetitive after a while so I would not recommend spending too much on buying. Manhunt would still be a nice choice for a weekend rental but expect the fun to wear out pretty quick. And for those who lack patience, I'd suggest shutting the windows before turning this on so your neighbors can't hear you swearing.
You are James Earl Cash, a killer sentenced to death row. On the night of your execution, you are taken away by a mysterious director named Starkweath...More at Amazon
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MANHUNT carries on the tradition of fantastic gaming, superb production values, and sardonic sense of humor in a storyline that explores the deep dark...More at eBay
You are James Earl Cash, a killer sentenced to death row. On the night of your execution, you are taken away by a mysterious director named Starkweath...More at Amazon Marketplace
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